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Unite, Collaborate, and Thrive: Top Nonprofit Conferences to Attend in 2023
As the saying goes, "no man is an island," and the same can be said for nonprofits. Collaboration, connection, and knowledge-sharing are essential elements in the success of any nonprofit organization. And what better way to achieve these goals than by attending conferences?
Conferences not only provide opportunities for nonprofits to learn from industry leaders, but they also offer a chance to network and connect with peers. The importance of these connections cannot be overstated; they can lead to partnerships, collaborations, and even funding opportunities.
With that in mind, we've compiled a list of the top conferences nonprofits should have on their radar in 2023. From fundraising and advocacy to technology and leadership, these conferences offer a unique opportunity for nonprofits to connect with their peers, learn from industry leaders, and make a difference in the world.
So, mark your calendars and get ready to pack your bags and hit the road. These conferences are not to be missed!
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MARCH
Chicago, Illinois
March 28–29
This two-day conference is a focused-learning event that guides educational institutions and other nonprofits using data to propel their fundraising and better achieve their missions. The program is a deep dive into data management, mining, analytics, governance, and other related topics such as artificial intelligence (AI). It’ll have you rethinking the way you do virtually every aspect of your job.
Attend If You’re: a digitally driven leader or nonprofit pro who could benefit from data analytics
https://www.case.org/conferences-training/drive-2023
*Pursuant/GivingDNA will be attending
Chicago, Illinois
March 28–30
This conference, hosted by the Christian Leadership Alliance, is the premier event offering personal and professional development for Christian leaders. Keynote presentations, workshops, roundtable sessions, and interactive forums will highlight a variety of topics covered in nine training tracks, such as Executive Leadership, Marketing & Communications, and People Management & Care.
Attend If You’re: a professional Christian nonprofit, church, educational institution, or business leader
https://outcomesconference.org/#/
*Pursuant/GivingDNA will be attending
APRIL
NTEN Nonprofit Technology Conference
Denver, Colorado, and Virtual
April 12–14
Also known as NTC, this annual event spotlights essential nonprofit technology best practices. This year, the conference will combine in-person and virtual attendance for a unique hybrid experience. No matter your role or how long you’ve been in it, NTC has something for you: networking opportunities like dine-around dinners, 175 educational sessions, thought-provoking keynote speakers, and so much more. You can also expect unofficial attendee-led events to keep the fun going after hours.
Attend If You’re: interested in using technology to make the world a better place
https://www.nten.org/gather/ntc
*Pursuant/GivingDNA will be attending
New Orleans, Louisiana
April 16–18
The good times will be rollin’ as the world’s No. 1 fundraising conference hits New Orleans. You’ll find more than 100 educational sessions, industry-leading keynote speakers, and thousands of fellow fundraisers. Three days not enough? Pre-conference Deep Dives will be held April 14 and 15 and feature a variety of topics, such as the Fundamentals of Fundraising, Donor Retention, and Capital Campaign Fundraising. You can attend one or both days.
Attend If You’re: a supporter of the fundraising profession and nonprofit sector in any way
*Pursuant/GivingDNA will be attending
San Antonio, Texas
April 16–18
This annual conference focuses on a range of topics in higher education fundraising, including advancement services, alumni relations, development, communications and marketing, and professional development. It’s ideal for both new and seasoned industry professionals from virtually any type of higher ed institution. Nearly 50 educational sessions will be held, and attendees can sort by their experience level to find the learning opportunities ideal for them.
Attend If You’re: a fundraising and development professional in the higher ed space
https://www.case.org/conferences-training/case-district-iv-annual-conference-2023
*Pursuant/GivingDNA will be attending
MAY
Washington, D.C.
May 3-4
The Direct Marketing Fundraisers Association’s first Mid-Level Giving Benchmarking Summit is an unmatched opportunity to focus on growing your mid-level giving (MLG) program. Join more than 40 nonprofit organizations and over 60 MLG professionals in sessions featuring overall trends, insights, and analysis. The event will allso include breakout sessions where you can share data and strategies to evaluate your mid-level program.
Attend If You’re: a mid-level program fundraiser or coordinator
https://dmfa.org/mlgbenchmarking/
*Pursuant/GivingDNA will be attending
May 9–11
Virtual
Hosted by Virtuous, this virtual event is three days of informative sessions and hands-on workshops with leaders from some of the biggest names in the nonprofit industry. You and your team will gain the insights you need to build a better organization that connects deeply with supporters. The best part? Attendance is free. Come learn the latest marketing trends and practical tips that will enable you to grow giving like never before.
Attend If You’re: ready to learn from forward-thinking nonprofit leaders
Orlando, Florida
May 22–25
NRB is the world’s largest gathering of Christian communicators, including radio, film, TV, church media, and digital marketing. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and workshops, you’ll hear from industry experts and Christian leaders how to reach more people with your message. You can also network with key decision-makers across industries, which could forge valuable partnerships as you grow your organization.
Attend If You’re: a member of the Christian media
JUNE
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
June 7–8
This two-day event brings the top nonprofit leaders together for learning sessions designed to uncover the next big ideas that will drive the industry — and charitable giving — forward. From the end-of-day block party to hands-on workshops and community discussions, there are countless opportunities for you to connect with new ideas, learn the latest trends, and build your peer network.
Attend If You’re: in the nonprofit or social enterprise space and want to learn more about fundraising and tech trends
https://collaborative.classy.org/
Planet Philanthropy (AFP Florida)
Orlando, Florida
June 12–14
The Association of Fundraising Professionals’ (AFP) Florida Caucus will join fundraisers from throughout the state with more than 300 nonprofit leaders across all industries for educational sessions to drive professional development. You don’t have to be an AFP member to attend. Come early, June 11–12, for Capital Campaigns: Intensive Workshop, which will guide you through the phases of planning a capital campaign so your next one is a success.
Attend If You’re: a fundraising professional in Florida
https://community.afpglobal.org/afpflcaucus/planet-philanthropy-2023
AFP DFW Philanthropy in Action Conference
Irving, Texas
June 16
This one-day event is exclusively for fundraisers in the Greater Dallas and Fort Worth Metro areas of Texas, so it’s specifically geared toward the trends and opportunities for these nonprofits. Topics will cover millennial philanthropy, community-centric fundraising, institutional giving, planned giving, and personalization at scale. More than 40 workshops will be offered plus two dynamic keynote presentations. The event is open to non-AFP members as well.
Attend If You’re: a fundraising professional in the Greater Dallas and Fort Worth Metro areas
https://www.dfwphilanthropyconference.com/
New York City, New York
June 16
Fundraising Day in New York is a full day of learning and professional development opportunities for fundraisers in NYC. Nearly 30 learning modules will be available across four sessions. Topics include board development, direct response, major gifts, people and culture, and planning for the future. You do not have to be an AFP member to attend.
Attend If You’re: a fundraising professional in New York City
https://nycafp.org/News-Events/Upcoming-Events/fundraising-day-in-new-york
JULY
CASE Summit for Leaders in Advancement
New York City, New York
July 16–18
This event is aimed exclusively at senior advancement leaders in the higher ed space who want to exchange strategies and insights with peers from around the world. Learning objectives include demonstrating your role as a leader, enhancing collaboration, discussing the value of professional ethics, and developing a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Your voice and experience are essential to leaders in an ever-changing environment.
Attend If You’re: a senior advancement leader in the higher ed sector
https://www.case.org/conferences-training/summit-leaders-advancement-2023
AUGUST
Bridge to Integrated Marketing & Fundraising Conference
National Harbor, Maryland
August 2–4
The theme of the 18th annual Bridge Conference is “Amplified” — come learn how to amplify your message, reach more donors, and have a greater impact. With more than 90 breakout sessions and inspiring keynote speakers, you’ll be armed with actionable insights you can immediately put to work for your organization. Day one of the conference will feature three special events: the Bridge Conference Master Class workshops, a Faith & Fundraising Forum, and Bridge TECH.
Attend If You’re: virtually anyone in the nonprofit and fundraising space
https://2023bridge.eventscribe.net/
Apra Prospect Development 2023
Indianapolis, Indiana
August 28–30
This annual conference is the premier event for prospect development professionals. Expect industry-leading education and networking through three general sessions and a leadership and professional development track. There are also additional pre-conference sessions that can be added on to your attendance: Data Science Now, Apra Fundamentals: Prospect Research, and Executive Leadership Cohort.
Attend If You’re: a prospect development professional
https://www.aprahome.org/Events/Prospect-Development-2023
Indianapolis, Indiana
August 28–30
Hosted by the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence, this is the largest conference dedicated to educational and professional development for those who work with fraternal organizations. Topics include communications, engagement, fundraising, management, membership data, and stewardship. Through engaging keynotes and dynamic breakout sessions, you’ll gain the latest strategies and tools to help you advance your organization's mission.
Attend If You’re: a fraternal organization staff member or volunteer leader
https://foundationfe.org/seminar-2022/
SEPTEMBER
Nashville, Tennessee
September 11–12
Raise is known as THE event fundraising conference. Connect with hundreds of experts, gain valuable professional development, and be inspired by the latest trends and techniques. It’s two full days of learning, divided into four session tracks: Event & Auction Fundraising, Fundraising Strategy & Donor Engagement, Peer-to-Peer & Online Giving, and Storytelling & Brand.
Attend If You’re: an event fundraiser
https://www.onecause.com/raise/
Nonprofit Innovation Summit (NIO)
Dallas, Texas
September 19–21
NIO Summit is known for its fun and immersive themes, and this year is no exception. Taking a page from classic game shows, this year’s theme is “Come On Down.” It’s the premier event for fundraisers who want to grow their online fundraising programs and become more innovative digital marketers. Learn through research-backed strategies, hands-on training, and valuable networking opportunities.
Attend If You’re: a nonprofit fundraiser or digital marketer
AHP International Conference
Orlando, Florida
September 20–22
This conference is the largest gathering of healthcare philanthropy professionals from around the world. With more than 50 speakers and over 35 sessions, you’ll gain best practices and insights from industry experts on the latest trends. The schedule will be posted in the summer, but you can expect a variety of thought-provoking topics. A number of pre-conference workshops will also be held.
Attend If You’re: in the healthcare philanthropy space
https://www.ahp.org/events/international-conference
AFP Chicago Fundamentals of Fundraising
Chicago, Illinois
September 21–22
This two-day course is exclusively for new fundraisers — those with less than four years of experience. It’s an intensive introduction to the fundamentals of fundraising that addresses the needs and challenges nonprofits face every day. It boasts seven modules that dive deep into marketing, building and sustaining relationships, securing gifts, and engaging volunteers.
Attend If You’re: a fundraising professional in Chicago with less than four years of experience
https://www.afpchicago.org/fundamentals-of-fundraising-2
OCTOBER
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
October 19–21
This conference is aimed at those in leadership positions at nonprofits. It offers unparalleled opportunities to network, engage, and connect with peers from around the world. The numerous educational sessions focus on topics such as authentic leadership, strategic planning, conflict resolution, and maximizing employee engagement. You can also expect captivating and motivating keynote speakers.
Attend If You’re: in a leadership position at your nonprofit organization
https://afpglobal.org/conferences-events
Denver, Colorado, and Virtual
October 22–24
Hosted by Blackbaud, bbcon is an annual tech conference for fundraisers. It aims to bring nonprofits up to speed on the latest technology to propel their fundraising efforts and help them engage more donors. It features keynotes, breakout sessions, networking activities, and the bbcon bash. For the first time, bbcon will include the Blackbaud K–12 User Conference. In addition, Blackbaud University Day will be held pre-conference and include training by BlackbaudU instructors.
Attend If You’re: interested in using advanced tech to fuel your fundraising
NOVEMBER
Nonprofit Storytelling Conference
San Diego, California
November 2–4
The Nonprofit Storytelling Conference is unlike any other fundraising conference. At this event, you’ll learn how to use stories to raise more money, connect with donors and board members, and make your events more memorable. Speakers will cover the both basics of storytelling and advanced techniques, as well as how your story must change for the audience, whether it’s your social media followers or your major donors.
Attend If You’re: looking for a new way to engage donors
https://nonprofitstorytellingconference.com/
The Fall Conference for Animal Welfare Advancement
Portland, Oregon
November 15–17
Hosted by the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA), this event focuses on big-picture issues impacting fundraising. It also includes leadership training and learning opportunities around four tracks: Fundraising, Internal & External Communications, Strategic Workforces/Human Resources, and Shelter Innovations.
Attend If You’re: a nonprofit pro in the animal welfare industry